As the US-Israel war in Iran now enters its fourth week, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) issued a joint statement with the leaders of several other countries condemning Tehran’s repeated attacks and its decision to close the Strait of Hormuz.
It also featured remarks from the leaders of the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Japan, Canada, South Korea, New Zealand, Denmark, Latvia, Slovenia, Estonia, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Bahrain, Lithuania, Australia and Romania.
States condemn Iran for attacks on civilian infrastructure
In a statement, the countries strongly condemned what they described as recent Iranian attacks on unarmed commercial shipping in the Persian Gulf, as well as attacks targeting civilian infrastructure, including oil and gas facilities, and actions that effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz.
The US and Israel waged war against Iran
The remarks come as the Middle East conflict enters its fourth week with no sign of easing. In February, Washington and Tel Aviv launched strikes against Iran targeting its military and naval forces, killing several of its top leaders, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed on the first day of the strikes. After Khamenei’s death, Tehran vowed to avenge his death. In retaliation, the country’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) closed the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway responsible for roughly 20% of the world’s oil transport. It has also launched strikes targeting Israel and US military bases in the region.
Tehran has also targeted oil and gas facilities in the region and civilian infrastructure across cities in the region, including Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi.
The joint statement calls on Iran to stop making threats
In a joint statement, the leaders expressed concern over the ongoing conflict and called on Iran to “immediately cease threats, mine-laying, drone and missile attacks and other attempts to block the strait to commercial shipping.” It also asked Tehran to comply with United Nations (UN) Security Council Resolution 2817.
Leaders express readiness to secure passage through Hormuz
The leaders of these countries also expressed their willingness to contribute to the corresponding efforts to guarantee safe passage through the strait. Additionally, the group welcomed the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) decision to release 400 million barrels of oil from its emergency stockpile amid fears of oil supply disruptions. The group added that it will take further steps to stabilize global energy markets, which include working with some producing countries to increase output.
The statement came days after US President Donald Trump said he was considering “ending” military operations in the Middle East, a stance seemingly at odds with that of his administration and Israel. Washington also decided to send three more amphibious assault ships and nearly 2,500 marines to the region.
His remarks appear to be at odds with his administration’s push to bolster its firepower in the region.
Pezeshkian calls for mending relations with Arab neighbors
Earlier today, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian sought to mend relations with Iran’s Arab neighbors in a statement, claiming they were Tehran’s brothers. He also called for the creation of an “Islamic Assembly in the Middle East” to ensure stability and peace in the region. Earlier this month, Pezeshkian also apologized to Iran’s Arab neighbors for the strikes; however, explosions continued to rock cities in the Middle East.
